The J Edgar Hoover FBI Building, named after the former FBI director two days after his death, is the headquarters of the FBI and home of the most high-tech crime solving technology known to man.
In 1908 the FBI was headquartered in the Department of Justice Building. It wasn't until the FBI gained considerable popularity that Congress approved plans to build a separate headquarters in 1962. The building wasn't opened until 1974 and employees weren't completely moved in until 1977.
Since being opened in 1974, the FBI Building has been the center of much scrutiny for it's poured concrete look - which was forced due to economic reasons at the time - and lack of aesthetic appeal. It has been said to create a 'void' along Pennsylvania Avenue due to its harshness and wall without windows. Washingtonian Magazine named the FBI building on its list of "Buildings I'd Tear Down" along with the Kennedy center.
The FBI Building is not open to the public since tours were discontinued in 1999. Prior to that, Americans could tour the J. Edgar Hoover FBI Building. The one hour tour was one of the most riveting tourist attractions in Washington DC. Visitors learned about the FBI's history, saw FBI scientists at work in forensic labs, viewed video replays of bank robberies, saw photos of the current Ten Most Wanted Fugitives, and watched a sharp-shooting demo given by a special agent. Today, the FBI Tour Page states that the Tour is presently closed with no date of reopening.
This all-day tour will take you to some of the area's most popular monuments and museums, such as National Air and Space Museum, the Smithsonian Institute, the Capitol Building, the FBI Building, and the Library of Congress among various other stops along the tour.
The Mt Vernon / Arlington Tour offers Washington DC visitors a rich look into the history of our nation as you explore over a dozen landmarks throughout Mt Vernon, Arlington and DC proper.
We also offer a detail of most tour stops, drive bys and visits with our Tour Connections page.
